Cora Carol Mahaffey

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Cora Carol Mahaffey, 90, Nevada, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2009, at Freeman Health System West, Joplin, Mo. She was called "Carol," but better known to all as "Granny." She was born on March 16, 1919, in Milwaukee, Wis., the daughter of James W. Tansey and Emma P. Gaukel Tansey.

Carol spent her early life in Chicago, Ill., and graduated as Class Orator of the McKinley High School Class of 1937. She was also an officer in the National Honor Society in High School all four years. At the age of 60, she chose to further her education by attending college classes offered through Wentworth Junior College, Lexington, Mo., an accomplishment of which she was quite proud.

On June 1, 1940, Carol was united in marriage to Oscar Steve. To this union one daughter, Marlene Adele (Steve) Ogle was born. As an adult, Carol resided in Mulberry, Kan., Pittsburg, Kan., and Florence, Colo.; however, most of her adult life was spent in Nevada.

Throughout her adult life she was employed as an accountant at various businesses in the city of Nevada. She began her career in 1948 with the Double Cola Bottling Company. From 1949-1951 the Goodyear Service Store employed her. This was followed by employment from 1951-1953 with American Bookkeeping Company. From 1953-1970, Carol served as the accountant for three local automobile agencies, C.A. White Motors, Guthrie Motors, Inc. and Richardson Motor Company. Before entering retirement she was the city collector and senior accountant/treasurer for the City of Nevada, from 1970 until 1981. Throughout the years, Carol also enjoyed demonstrating Fashion 220 and Mary Kay cosmetics at home parties. In her late 70s she had an interest for painting and virtually taught herself how to oil paint, with a special flair for painting flowers. Following retirement, she rejoined the work force, at which time she was employed from 1983-1984 as secretary/receptionist for Missouri Valley Harvestore, Inc. in Nevada. After another brief retirement she was employed as receptionist for the Credit Bureau of Vernon County Inc. From 1990-1996 Carol served as the office manager for Quality Products, Inc. Carol then chose to assist her daughter Marlene in the operation of Healthy Happenings, a Unique Boutique, from 1996-2000.

While residing in Nevada, Carol served as president and treasurer of the Vernon County Business and Professional Women's Club; president of Ford Motor Company Tri-County Accountants Club; and Treasurer of Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority. She also was a volunteer for the Nevada Public Library and the Nevada City Hospital Women's Auxiliary. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and later attended the First Baptist Church, Nevada.

Survivors include one daughter, Marlene Ogle and Donald Bamer, Nevada; one granddaughter, Natalie Johnson and her husband Joey, Nevada; four great-grandchildren, Josiah Johnson, Lexi Johnson, Hunter Johnson, and Will Johnson, all of Nevada, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Louis Tansey, and one sister, Jean Opal Hurt.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., on Thursday, June 4, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Steve Russ officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family receives friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service on Thursday.